don't count on having a language around for 10 years, just learn the skills to write quality software and you can learn any new language you'll need for the future. it also depends on what kind of programming you want to do which language you should learn, but again, once you know *how* to program, your main concern is following the correct language syntax.

but, if you're a novice, there are a wide array of languages with millions of people using them, it's a matter of preference for most: C, C++, and java are probably the most used and have lots of extensive communities and documentation to help you when you get stuck.

If you are beginner for learning programming language then i will suggest to you C and C++. Because it is basic programming languages. With the help of it, you can learn any advanced language because this is the core language for programming. Its fundamentals are used in any programming language, only change the syntax. If you are not beginner than it is depend on your choice. If you like design then i will suggest to you PHP programming. If you want to Mobile Technology then you can go with J2ME. You can also learn .Net programming language which is widely used in the world.

I disagree... C++ is a very complex language, riddled with needless bureaucracy. It is far too bloated for a low level language, and it is not particularly well designed for a modern high level language. It is inconsistent and not even well standardized. I would definitely not call C++ the best choice for a beginner.

I would recommend Python for learning how to program and for Getting Things Done, and C for technical background.

As per my opinion, Java is the best option to learn. It is the best language and also it is used worldwide. It has many advantages such as security which is the strongest point of it. Also it provides many nice applications such as applet. It is platform independent and robust language. Also you can create mobile application using it.

If you had said C, then I would have agreed 100%. Now C++... that is most definitely not the first language I would think of for low level work (or for most other kinds of work, but that's a separate matter altogether).

If you're asking what are the best programming languages today, I can say that Java, PHP, VB and C++ takes the lead. Since most of the desktop application and web application are made in those languages.

My only regret in life is that I wish I had learnt a programming language, my choice of preferance would be php, as I work with websites a lot, and it can be painstaking having to hire a programmer and give my login and everything to a coder to small changes

As was already mentioned, the language is largely irrelevant. I can find the syntax I need for any language in a short time using a search engine. Just know how to program.

While I do generally agree, I would note that there are some important differences when it comes to programming paradigms, which one should take into account. That is to say, good programming is not a "one size fits all" kind of thing.

To give an example from opposite extremes, it takes quite a different frame of mind to program (well) in a procedural language such as C, as it does to program (well) in a purely functional language such as Haskell, or in a declarative one such as SQL.

And then of course there's Python, which pretty much covers everything you'll ever need